Serial killers have been a major scourge in society, and they’re known to launch sadistic, gruesome and heinous activities that cause sleepless nights for law enforcement agencies and the public alike. While some have been caught, and their crimes exposed to the public, some remain uncaught, with their heinous activities causing fear and terror globally. This article lists ten of the most chilling unsolved serial killer cases in history, including The Doodler, The Long Island Serial Killer, The Original Night Stalker, The Monster of Florence, The Axeman of New Orleans, The Servant Girl Annihilator, The Zodiac Killer, The Cleveland Torso Killer, The Highway of Tears Killer, and The Colonial Parkway Killer. These cases are a reminder of the need to remain vigilant and to never forget the lives lost due to the activities of these killers.
10 Terrifying Serial Killer Cases That Remain Unsolved
Throughout history, the world has been plagued by the gruesome and terrifying actions of serial killers. Their motivations and methods have been studied and scrutinized endlessly, but in some cases, even the most skilled investigators are unable to bring the perpetrators to justice. Here are 10 of the most chilling unsolved cases of serial killers:
1. The Doodler
In the mid-1970s, San Francisco was terrorized by a serial killer known only as “The Doodler.” He would sketch his victims before killing them, but due to the fear of being outed as gay (many of his victims were believed to be closeted), only one witness was able to identify him. Despite a composite sketch being released and a few potential suspects being brought in, The Doodler was never caught.
2. The Long Island Serial Killer
Since 2010, there have been more than 10 sets of human remains found along the coast of Long Island, New York. Investigators believe that they are the work of a single serial killer, but no arrests have been made. The victims, most of whom were sex workers, were strangled and dumped in burlap sacks.
3. The Original Night Stalker
From the mid-1970s to mid-1980s, a killer dubbed “The Original Night Stalker” by author Michelle McNamara was responsible for at least 12 murders and 50 rapes in California. Despite a massive investigation that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and the FBI, the killer was never caught. McNamara’s book about the case, “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark,” helped reignite interest in the case and is believed to have played a role in the eventual identification and arrest of a suspect in 2018.
4. The Monster of Florence
The Monster of Florence was responsible for at least 16 murders between 1968 and 1985 in the Italian countryside around Florence. The killer was known for targeting couples in parked cars and leaving gruesome messages and body parts as tokens for the police. Despite the arrest and conviction of multiple suspects, doubts remain about whether the true Monster of Florence was actually caught.
5. The Axeman of New Orleans
In 1918 and 1919, the city of New Orleans was terrorized by a killer dubbed The Axeman. The killer would break into homes and attack the inhabitants with an ax, usually leaving strange messages at the crime scenes. Despite a massive manhunt and even a citywide night of jazz music to try to lure the killer out, he was never caught.
6. The Servant Girl Annihilator
In the late 1800s, Austin, Texas, was plagued by a string of brutal murders that became known as the Servant Girl Annihilator case. The killer would sneak into the homes of servant girls and attack them with an ax, leaving a trail of blood and terror in his wake. Despite numerous suspects, including a man who was lynched by a mob, the killer was never caught.
7. The Zodiac Killer
One of the most notorious unsolved cases in American history, the Zodiac Killer terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Through letters to the media, the killer claimed to have been responsible for 37 murders, though only seven have been officially linked to him. Despite numerous suspects and decades of investigation, the identity of the Zodiac Killer remains a mystery.
8. The Cleveland Torso Killer
Between 1935 and 1938, at least 12 people were brutally murdered and dismembered in Cleveland, Ohio. The killer, known as the Cleveland Torso Killer or the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run, targeted drifters and prostitutes and would dispose of their bodies in the Cuyahoga River. Despite a massive investigation that drew the attention of the FBI, the killer was never found.
9. The Highway of Tears Killer
Since 1969, at least 18 women and girls have gone missing or been found murdered along a remote stretch of highway in British Columbia, Canada. The cases are believed to be the work of a single serial killer, but despite numerous suspects and thousands of tips, no one has been arrested for the crimes.
10. The Colonial Parkway Killer
Between 1986 and 1989, at least eight people were killed along the Colonial Parkway in Virginia, a scenic road that connects Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. The killer, who is believed to have targeted couples, was never caught, though multiple suspects have been investigated over the years.
Closing Thoughts
As these cases show, the world is still plagued by the terrifying phenomenon of serial killers. Despite the tireless efforts of law enforcement and investigators, some of the most horrifying cases remain unsolved, leaving families and communities haunted by the memory of the victims and the fear of the killer still out there. It is a reminder of the need to remain vigilant and to never forget those whose lives were taken too soon.